Cost of providing free care for elderly up 11 per cent

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A significant rise in the costs of free care for the elderly in Scotland was revealed yesterday, with expenditure on elderly people living in their own homes up 15 per cent in the last year, and almost double what it was four years ago.

The total cost of providing the policy, both at home and in nursing establishments, rose by 11 per cent in the last year to £358 million.

The figures appear to add weight to those who claim that the policy is unsustainable in the long term, especially if public spending falls in the coming years.